Early Signs and Symptoms of HIV

HIV or better acknowledged as the human immunodeficiency virus recognizes itself as a form of virus, which infiltrates the body and bring about its infectious properties. It triggers and begets what is known as AIDS or the malignant “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”. Its transmissions are done in different approaches. Whether it be sex or usage of contaminated syringes, the infection can be spread and transmitted to infect more and cause long-term health concerns.

Being aware of the symptoms of this infection is a must for people to get acquainted on how to prevent it. Here is the important list of symptoms that you should know for your convenience.

• Recurrent headache
• Chills and fever
• Pain in the muscles
• Pain in the joints
• Sore throat
• Rashes and hives
• Recurrent nausea
• Thrush
• Vomiting
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Recurrent night sweats
• Mild diarrhea
• Ulcers in the genitals
• Swelling of the lymph glands

These signs emerge only after the initial infection. Since these are initial outbreaks, these reactions may not stay active for long. Note that the infection may not pose any effects, and individuals can stay asymptomatic. Nevertheless, stay cautious of the possible diseases you will likely experience after the initial contagion. This also explains the advice for high-risk individuals to have themselves tested.

Aside from the early warnings of the infection, these signs can be categorized in three different HIV phases. To know more about these phases, the following best describes its symptoms and definition.

HIV Stages

1^st Stage

The stated symptoms above are all parts of the first stage of the infection. Also termed as the acute type of infection, most of the earliest warnings here are considered flu-like. In the course of this phase, the body’s immunity combats the infection, thus explaining the signs you read above. This stage is also highly contagious.

2^nd Stage

As for this phase, people can remain asymptomatic of HIV. While the infection still advances and functions, its level of symptoms may not be well-experienced. This also notifies that the body’s immune system must have been damaged already.

3^rd Stage

When the immune system has been badly impaired, the infection will eventually progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). In the course of this stage, an individual will experience different kinds of diseases, especially tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other illnesses that are considered severe and harmful to the health.

Some of its warning and adverse reactions are:

• Chronic or long-term headache (usually severe)
• Unexplained tiredness
• Swelling of the body’s lymph glands/nodes
• Severe night sweats
• Hostile fatigue
• Malignant skin lesions
• Fever that keeps on reoccurring
• Sudden weight loss

Thankfully today, there have been major sources of medications to use when someone is diagnosed or pronounced of the disease. These medications come in the form of antiretroviral therapy or antiretroviral drugs. Whether it be consumed alone or mixed with other drugs, these medications can help in eliminating the massive effects of the infection.